Episode 14 of Buried Hearts Sparks Controversy and High Ratings
On April 5, 2025, Disney+ released Episode 14 of the Korean drama Buried Hearts. With only two episodes remaining in the series, this installment has sparked both intrigue and criticism amongst viewers. A significant portion of this episode features an intimate exchange between Yeo Eun-nam, portrayed by Hong Hwa-yeon, and Seo Dong-ju, played by Park Hyung-sik. Their discussion reveals that Heo Il-do is not only Dong-ju’s biological father but also the individual responsible for Eun-nam’s father, Yeo Sun-ho’s, tragic death.
Previously, the narrative emphasized the emotional connection between Eun-nam and Dong-ju. However, recent episodes have notably decreased Eun-nam’s screen time, leading to growing disappointment among fans regarding her character development.
“Writers twisted her into someone passive, someone who never fights back hard enough, forcing her into this pathetic image of devotion. a woman who was once fire, reduced to ash by the pen. it’s not a love story. it’s a slow erasure,”opined a user on X.
Fans’ discontent has been palpable online, with many highlighting the limitations placed on Eun-nam’s character. Below are mixed sentiments shared across social media platforms:
“Eunnum could have been a super Deep character, take the decision of marrying another guy to investigate his father’s death AND NOTHING MORE WAS SAID… WHY?? She has been reduced to look Dangjoo, 1 scene for ep and super shallow character without story behind her,”noted another fan.
“Eunnam is who attracted me to watch this drama and her chemistry with Dong-ju😌 but I’m losing interest with the latter episodes wd how they neglected her & put her aside. I think I will not watch it anymore if they are going to make my girl dirty like that,”lamented a viewer.
“Your first leading role you did amazing with those acting skills even though the writer did dirty to your character. I know you have a bright future ahead my girl; you are pretty & can act. I hope and pray you can choose a better script in the future,”another user expressed.
“I don’t even care if Dong-ju and Eunnam end up together; it’s probably best they don’t. I just need them to give Eunnam a good storyline for once, but it seems unlikely with the amount of episodes we have left,”shared a concerned viewer.
“Eunnam” was used as a body, a prop for explicit scenes, and now that they’ve drained her of that purpose, they’ve thrown her away. No arc. No depth. Discarded the second she stopped serving the male narrative. It’s not just lazy writing; it’s dehumanizing,”critiqued a netizen.
Record-Breaking Ratings for Buried Hearts Ahead of Finale
As it heads into its final week of broadcast, Buried Hearts has reached an all-time high in viewership ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the latest episode garnered a nationwide average rating of 14.6 percent, making it the most-watched miniseries of the week.
The episode that aired on April 4 also saw significant success, achieving an average rating of 13.4 percent, ranking it as the top program of the day across all broadcasting channels. In the crucial demographic of viewers aged 20 to 49, the same episode secured a 3.5 percent rating, leading its time slot.
For international fans eagerly awaiting the continuation of the narrative, Episode 15 of Buried Hearts is scheduled for release on April 11, 2025, on Disney+. Meanwhile, it will be broadcast on SBS TV in South Korea at 22:00 KST.